Restaurants build on international ground

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Restaurants look to international shores to boost their brand and build an image.

Starbucks chairman to receive ethics award

March 26, 2007

South Bend Tribune: Howard Schultz, chairman of coffee giant Starbucks, is being awarded the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Award for Ethics in Business…

Restaurant reservations: Serve up success

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

March 26, 2007

Restaurant operators rely on e-mail to remind consumers to make a reservation.

Winter weather may hurt restaurant results

March 26, 2007

Houston Chronicle: A restaurant-industry analyst said Monday that severe winter weather could hurt first-quarter results for many restaurant companies.

Panera appoints new accounting chief

March 26, 2007

St. Louis Business Journal: Panera Bread Co. has appointed Amy Kuzdowicz controller and chief accounting officer. Kuzdowicz will replace Richard Isaak, who…

Cold Stone Creamery to open first China shop

March 25, 2007

Shanghaiist: Ice cream vendor Cold Stone Creamery will open its first outlet in mainland China on April 23. The company plans to open 105 stores in China over…

Lawyers eye consumer-created ads

March 25, 2007

Law.com: Company-sponsored video ad contests can be a legal minefield, copyright lawyers are warning. A 2006 contest by sandwich maker Quizno's sparked a…

Starbucks drops Dreamgirl from annual meeting

March 22, 2007

WSJV (South Bend, Ind.): Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz cancelled a planned concert by Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson due to the former American Idol…

Extreme Pita targets northern California for expansion

March 22, 2007

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Canadian franchise Extreme Pita has opened its newest restaurant at Auto Mall Parkway and Hugo Street in Fremont, Calif. The opening is…

Paul McCartney signs with Starbucks

March 21, 2007

SEATTLE — Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance via satellite at the Starbucks annual meeting March 21 in conjunction with the company's announcement that…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe signs with Windsor Realty Group

March 21, 2007

ATLANTA – Destin, Fla.-based Tropical Smoothie Café, an independently-owned franchise system with more than 235 locations, has signed with Windsor Realty…

Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken receives two Scovie Awards

March 21, 2007

ATLANTA — Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken was recently awarded two 2007 Scovie awards for their signature Piri Piri sauces. The Scovie Awards…

Foie gras, caged chickens banned from Wolfgang Puck menus

March 21, 2007

StarTribune (Minneapolis): As part of a new initiative to fight animal cruelty, Wolfgang Puck said he will no longer serve foie gras, the fatty liver produced…

Fast food tops Nielsen growth list

March 20, 2007

WILTON, Conn.— Fast food restaurants will open more than 13,000 new locations over the next five years, according to the 2007 Retail Tenant…

Schlotzsky's intros new beef sandwiches

March 20, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas-based fast-casual chain Schlotzsky's has announced the introduction of its Angus Beef Round Up, a promotion that includes three new…

Starbucks hopes to calm jittery investors

March 19, 2007

Marketwatch: Nervous investors will be looking for reassurance about Starbucks' long-term growth plans when the company holds its annual meeting next week.

Analyst looks to fast-casual segment for growth

March 19, 2007

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Even though the restaurant industry is growing, economic factors such as high gas prices could put a damper on that trend.

Cosi comps up slightly

March 19, 2007

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Sales at Così Inc. restaurants open at least 15 months increased 0.3 percent for the fiscal year ended Jan. 1. The increase consisted of a…

Hypercom intros WiFi Contactless PIN pad

March 19, 2007

PHOENIX — Hypercom Corporation announced March 20 the launch of its new P4100 PIN Pad, also Payment Card Industry PED approved.   The P4100 is a PIN entry…

Intura Solutions inks Middle East distribution deal

March 18, 2007

ARLINGTON, Texas — Intura Solutions LP, supplier of point-of-sale and business-management software for quick service, fast casual and delivery restaurant…